Cameron County Tax Office at courthouse closed

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. – The entire operations of the Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office in Brownsville has been closed until further notice.

The closure was ordered sometime before noon today, County Judge Pete Sepulveda Jr. said.

The area pertaining to property taxes had been open a few hours this morning because this was not the focus of the investigation by federal and state authorities, Sepulveda said.

However, before noon it was ordered that the entire office be closed.

The Tax Office was shutdown on Wednesday following a raid by federal and state authorities. Tax Assessor Tony Yzaguirre Jr., and three others were arrested on charges of bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression. All are out on a personal recognizance bond.

Officials said the area of the Tax office authorities are investigating pertains to the department of motor vehicles.

Sepulveda said the public can pay their property taxes at other Cameron County tax offices in the county.

People who have issues dealing with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will have to visit the H-E-B stores in Cameron County or the A.V. Lopez Supermarket on International Boulevard in Brownsville or AMEX Check Cashing on Price Road, also in Brownsville.

Sepulveda anticipates that the office could be back in operation sometime next week.

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8:45 a.m.

The Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office is open for business this morning one day after it was shutdown by authorities after they raided the office.

The office is only accepting payments for property taxes for now, County Judge Pete Sepulveda Jr. said. People who have issues dealing with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will have to visit the H-E-B stores in Cameron County or the A.V. Lopez Supermarket on International Boulevard in Brownsville or AMEX Check Cashing on Price Road, also in Brownsville.

The Tax Office was shutdown on Wednesday following a raid by federal and state authorities. Tax Assessor Tony Yzaguirre Jr., and three others were arrested on charges of bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression. All are out on a personal recognizance bond.